Local Soroptimists Produce Successful High Tea Event

Supporting Women

Nearly 400 guests attended the annual Soroptimist High Tea, sponsored by the clubs of Poway and North San Diego, at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar this year. Cindy Spilman from the Poway club and Nancy Eastman from the North San Diego club co-chaired the event. Carlo Cecchetto from CBS8 served as emcee and auctioneer. Entertainment was provided by two-time Grammy Award-winning Kamau Kenyatta and jazz singer Daneen Wilbur, whose poignant rendition of “Lean on Me” moved the room to tears.

Through the combination of sponsors, ticket sales, live and silent auctions, and flash sales, the event grossed approximately $120,000. Though it is up to each club to determine which programs they would like to support, both clubs will use the majority of the event proceeds for their Transitional Housing Program, which provides apartments for survivors of domestic violence and their children. The clubs furnish each apartment with used furniture, stock the pantry with food, and cover a portion of the rent. Proceeds from the tea are also used for other programs benefiting women and girls, such as the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award and Dream It Be It.

As part of the worldwide Soroptimist International organization, the Poway and North San Diego clubs work to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment, advancing public awareness for women’s issues, and celebrating their contributions and achievements both locally and globally. To learn more about Soroptimist International of Poway visit www.sipoway.org or contact yoglick@att.net. For more about Soroptimist International of North San Diego go to www.soroptimistnsd.org or contact soroptimistnsd@gmail.com.